Wednesday, March 14, 2012

I is for Indian

Today's photo takes us to Lonnie Revels Greenway, the section of Freeman Mill Road between Spring Garden Street and Florida Avenue that is named for Lonnie Revels (1935-2003). Revels, originally from Robeson County, was a lifelong advocate for American Indians in North Carolina. He fought tirelessly, seeking national recognition for the Lumbee Tribe. While North Carolina recognizes Lumbee as a tribe, the federal government does not. From 1790- 1870, through the US Civil War Era, the Lumbee were classified as "free other", "free colored", and "free mulatto" (reference). By 1885, North Carolina recognized them as Indians. However, not having federal recognition as a tribe prevents them from receiving federal services.

Mr. Revels graduated from Wake Forest University in 1958, served in the U.S. Army in the 82nd Airborne Division out of Fort Bragg, married his high school sweetheart, and moved to Greensboro in 1961. Here, he owned a printing company, while remaining active in issues related to Indian/Native American Affairs. Nationally, Revels was appointed to the Civil Rights Commission of the U.S. Department of Agriculture by President Nixon. At one time, he was the senior member of the Commission of Indian Affairs in North Carolina. Locally, he was elected to Greensboro's City Council in 1985. He was the District 15 representative for the Lumbee Tribal Council. Mr. Revels was a founder and board member of the Guilford Native American Association (GNAA) which continues to serve over 5,000 Native Americans in Guilford County. The GNAA sponsors a pow-wow annually. While Mr. Revels has been deceased for eight years, his civic involvement will be remembered for years to come. As we look at this little section of Freeman Mill Road, we can only imagine the thoughts that weighed heavily on Mr. Revels' mind as he was commuting on this road between Greensboro and his home community-- Pembroke.

Today, we remember Mr. Revels' cause-- for the Lumbee to become a tribe, and respectfully submit for ABC Wednesday, I for Indian. Mr. Revels had great respect and love for the land. It is fitting that a little sliver of land with blossoming trees, sandwiched between ribbons of asphalt, be named in his honor.